The only down side for the Drovers was that prop Wyn Jones was sent off after getting a second yellow card in the final minutes.

The Steelmen and the Drovers were playing for the right to meet Pontypridd in the Swalec Cup semi final. The sides had shared the honours in the league this term, Llandovery winning 50-0 at Church Bank in September and Vale running out 14- 6 victors at home in January.

The visitors did most of the early pressing and they were rewarded when Maynard kicked a 27 metres angled penalty goal. He added another penalty from a similar position in the 18th minute to put his team 6-0 ahead.

Ebbw Vale’s pack started to take a grip on proceedings but the Drovers effectively disrupted a succession of rolling mauls. The visitors also conceded a string of penalties near their line and prop Wyn Jones was shown a yellow card in the 29th minute.

Eight minutes later Smerdon opened Vale’s account with a 35 metres penalty goal. As expected, no quarter was being given in the rugged exchanges up front and the score remained 6-3 in Llandovery’s favour at the interval.

But those second half tries by the visitors sent the Steelmen sliding out of the cup.